“If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t have included ‘marrying you’ in my life plan. On this point, we see eye to eye. I too only want to marry someone I love.”
Accompanied by the chirping of a bird outside the window, Yan Yuchuan’s voice rang out, as steady as if he were working through a math problem, devoid of any subjective emotion.
If Ming Rao had harbored any unrealistic fantasies during the silence just now, they were now doused like a bucket of cold water, scattered without a trace.
He unconsciously scratched the cat’s head, his grip unconsciously tightening. The cat, uncomfortable with the scratching, arched its back, its tail raised alertly and swept sharply across Ming Rao’s eyes, making him squint from the sting.
Ming Rao warned in a low voice: “Mop.”
The cat scurried away out of sight in a flash. Ming Rao brushed the gray fluff off his legs, straightened himself, and looked directly into Yan Yuchuan’s eyes, saying calmly as still water: “Then have you considered if you love me, why would you forget me?”
Yan Yuchuan pondered for a moment, then answered honestly: “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that.”
“‘Shake off the baggage of feelings, embrace happiness lightly’ that’s the tagline for Xina’s targeted memory erasure surgery. As the CEO of Xina Technologies, you must have heard it.”
Yan Yuchuan wanted to point out that the copy was drafted by the marketing department, specifically targeted at urban couples in love, and wasn’t his direct decision. But then Ming Rao added: “‘It’s time to clear out your emotional garbage’ that was your speech at the Technology Innovators Conference three years ago.”
“…”
Yan Yuchuan was at a loss for words and silently lowered his gaze.
“If you loved me, would you erase me from your memory like emotional baggage, like emotional garbage?” Ming Rao said word by word, forcefully. “Rather than believing a hastily written list, you should listen to your own heart, President Yan.”
“Ding”
The text message sound came from Yan Yuchuan’s briefcase, striking especially loud in the living room so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yan Yuchuan’s brow twitched slightly.
Just as Ming Rao thought he would finally put an end to this absurd pursuit, Yan Yuchuan pushed the wish list on the table toward Ming Rao, his finger lightly tapping the sixth item “Achieve the transformation of the business model from B2B to B2C.”
Yan Yuchuan told him that Xina’s targeted memory erasure surgery initially only partnered with hospitals and rehabilitation institutions, but what they truly aspired to become was a company capable of changing society through its own strength stepping out from behind the scenes to the forefront, letting the public know they existed.
The entire process involved more complex clinical approvals and required facing a great deal of skepticism. Such an overly disruptive vision could easily be dismissed as more hype than substance.
Three years ago, Yan Yuchuan delivered a speech at the Science Innovators Conference, truly bringing Xina Technologies into the public eye. Around the same time, Xina launched its new product, the “Memory Enhancement Pen,” marking a milestone starting point for Xina’s transition from B2B to B2C.
Ming Rao curled his lip and raised an eyebrow. “So inspiring, I’m about to cry. But I suggest you save these touching stories for your autobiography.”
Just then, Yan Yuchuan’s phone chimed again. He acted as if he hadn’t heard it and continued: “In the early stages of the product launch, we faced strong skepticism from investors. Fortunately, the market response was favorable, validating that our vision was a success.”
“Am I being too subtle?” Ming Rao finally couldn’t hide his anger. “Are you done? What does any of this have to do with me?”
“This is the price I’m willing to pay to achieve my goals. Once I set my mind to something, I won’t waver,” Yan Yuchuan gazed at him for a moment, his tone calm and resolute. “It will be the same with you.”
Ming Rao was stunned for a moment, then finally let out a self-deprecating laugh.
So was he supposed to feel honored to be the one discarded piece in Yan Yuchuan’s life of never regretting a move?
He began to study Yan Yuchuan’s face carefully.
In these five years, Yan Yuchuan’s appearance hadn’t changed at all even the faint scar on his brow bone remained perfectly intact.
If there was any change to speak of, the most obvious would be his temperament. The sharpness that once seemed at odds with the entire world had, on the face of the now triumphant Yan Yuchuan, transformed into a confident and flamboyant air of one who gets what he wants.
Just as the two were at a standoff, Yan Yuchuan’s phone rang again this time a call.
Ming Rao spoke first: “Go ahead and answer it. It’s annoying hearing it ring constantly.”
Yan Yuchuan glanced at the caller ID, said an apology, and picked up the call.
He listened without saying a word, but his expression grew increasingly grave. Finally, he said simply, “I’ll be there shortly,” and hung up.
Ming Rao, as if granted a pardon, quickly said: “Goodbye, no need to see you out.”
Yan Yuchuan glanced at him and said, “Sorry. Once I’ve handled things, I’ll come find you.”
Ming Rao forced a fake smile and gave a few perfunctory “mm-hmms,” only thinking that tonight he definitely had to go out and run until he was drenched in sweat, to evaporate away all the bad luck of this day.
Just then, as if remembering something, Yan Yuchuan turned around.
He reached into the inner compartment of his briefcase, then leaned forward slightly, his right arm crossing over the coffee table, extending toward Ming Rao.
“Here’s my business card. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Ming Rao stared dumbly at the card, hearing a deafening boom in his head as if a bomb he never knew existed had detonated without warning, blasting everything into rubble.
Five years ago on that birthday, Yan Yuchuan had bound and dragged him from Platinum Harbor to Pingcheng, throwing him a birthday celebration. The next day, he solemnly declared he wanted to transfer the most important technology patent in his hands to Ming Rao.
Before leaving, just like now, he handed him a business card.
Four months later, Ming Rao came alone to unfamiliar Pingcheng, following the card like a map, finding the tech park where Sina Technology was located but it was already empty, people gone.
He ran into Yan Yuchuan’s colleague by chance and learned that Yan Yuchuan had already undergone targeted memory erasure surgery two months prior, wiping him from his mind completely.
Refusing to accept it, Ming Rao chased after Sina Technology’s reverse roadshow venue, demanding an explanation from Yan Yuchuan face to face, thinking he’d rather die with closure.
But Yan Yuchuan looked at him with unfamiliar curiosity and asked, “Sorry, are you a student at Pingcheng University? I feel like we’ve met somewhere.”
Five years ago and five years later, even the gesture of handing over the card was exactly the same.
That night, Ming Rao didn’t go for a run. He sat on the sofa, staring at the card for a long time, his mind replaying scenes of his past with Yan Yuchuan like a slideshow.
Then, he made a well-considered decision
He would accept Yan Yuchuan’s marriage proposal.
He would walk down the red carpet with Yan Yuchuan, holding flowers, and then, amid the clinking of glasses and under the gaze of all the guests, hurl the ring at Yan Yuchuan’s infuriatingly high-bridged nose.
He would make this man, who prized face and pride above all else, a complete laughingstock in front of every noble, official, and business magnate. He would bring in the sharpest, most merciless media to broadcast his humiliation to the world.
He would paint the most striking blot of failure onto his life’s answer sheet, which had been filled with red checkmarks.
With that thought, Ming Rao pulled out his phone, typed Yan Yuchuan’s number from the card, and wrote in the message box: 【I accept.】
No, that’s too flippant.
He had just rejected him so firmly; changing his mind so quickly would likely arouse Yan Yuchuan’s suspicion. Better to plan carefully, take it slow…
Ming Rao deleted the line he’d just typed and re-entered: 【Do you really want to marry me?】 His finger hovered over the send button for a moment, then pressed down.
Soon, Yan Yuchuan called directly. “Thought it over?”
Still his usual style no asking who it was, no pleasantries, just unapologetic dominance.
Ming Rao’s mind raced, and he finally decided on a strategy of playing the fool first crafting the image of a naive, sheltered rich young master.
He cleared his throat and spoke slowly: “Let me say this first. I have a terrible temper, I love wasting money, I love eating, and I love buying random things. I might spend all your money on camera lenses. Can you still accept that?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Yan Yuchuan chuckled softly on the other end. “Whatever you like, you can buy.”
Ming Rao rolled his eyes at the air, thinking to himself: Sure, you’re the hotshot now, but I’m a third-generation rich kid, and my family’s wealth is probably several times yours. Don’t pull that act on me!
He reminded himself that “patience is a knife to the head” and held back from lashing out on the spot. His dramatic streak kicking in, he decided to play a little hard-to-get: “But I still don’t think we should just get married like this. It’s too fast.”
“No rush,” Yan Yuchuan said. “Planning a wedding isn’t simple the rings, the attire, the venue, the guest list all of it takes time.”
Ming Rao gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
Then, like a negotiation reaching its close both parties signing, shaking hands, sealing the deal with a bold declaration Yan Yuchuan said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a wedding you’ll never forget.”
Ming Rao sneered inwardly: We’ll see whose wedding turns out to be more unforgettable.
The moment the call ended, Ming Rao opened his computer.
With the level of hatred he felt for Yan Yuchuan at this very moment, there was no way he could bide his time until the wedding. It would suffocate him alive.
He had to take action now.
Ming Rao knew of a forum called Scooper, introduced to him by a friend who studied journalism. The forum specialized in digging up dirt on business tycoons users could post anonymously or under their real names. If there was any major scandal in the business world, it usually fermented from here.
He had a friend in journalism who’d once given him an invitation code. Back then, he’d thought it was boring, registered casually, and never logged in again. Now that he logged in, he saw he hadn’t even verified his email.
To be cautious, Ming Rao registered a new email address and completed the verification.
After a moment of thought, he got up, rummaged through the drawer for his old phone, charged it, and opened the photo album. Inside were all the photos he had taken with Yan Yuchuan five years ago.
Ming Rao browsed through them, picking and choosing, and finally selected a side-profile shot of Yan Yuchuan in the alley behind the tube-shaped apartment building, deciding to post it first to test the waters.
The photo wasn’t particularly sensational Yan Yuchuan’s face was barely visible but it still gave Ming Rao a guilty thrill, like he was doing something wrong. When he clicked “Post,” he was so nervous that cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
After posting, he went to the bathroom to wash up. When he returned, he found the post had already garnered quite a few replies, and the private message inbox was blinking red nonstop.
Ming Rao casually clicked on the latest message. The sender’s name was a meaningless combination of numbers and letters.
jdkl345: [Platinum University Innovation Camp?]
Ming Rao paused, then replied: [1]
The other person was online and responded quickly: [Any more? I’ll take them all. Name your price]
That photo was indeed taken when Yan Yuchuan attended the Platinum Harbor University Innovation Camp, six years ago. At the time, Ming Rao was a sophomore at Platinum Harbor University, while Yan Yuchuan had just graduated and was at the camp with his startup team to incubate a project.
That project was the now-famous Sina Technology targeted memory erasure surgery.
This person specifically asked for photos of Yan Yuchuan from the innovation camp could they already have some scheme in mind?
Driven by curiosity, Ming Rao replied: [I have more. What kind do you want?]
jdkl345: [Did you see him at the innovation camp?]
Ming Rao: [We took classes together]
This time, the other person was silent for longer. Ming Rao was just mulling over the stranger’s background when the message window lit up again.
jdkl345: [Did you know he was kept before?]
A chill crept up Ming Rao’s spine. Before he could reply, another message popped up.
jdkl345: [And the person was a man]
Ming Rao’s gaze locked onto the screen, rooted in place, unable to look away, but his thoughts drifted far, far away…
Did he know whether Yan Yuchuan had been kept?
Oh, he knew all too well.